July Reflection

During the first part of the summer I spent some time traveling, reflecting, and seeing nature up close and personal. My wife and I traveled to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and camped for two days. Great slow down time I call it. By slow down, I mean we live at such a fast pace. We are so focused on tasks, on our needs, and the needs of others, we, I, fail to see, really see, and experience all that is going on around us.

Three insects. It's all about being in the right place at the right time.

Sunset in the still of the evening. Beaver Lake, Arkansas. Not a sound was heard, no wind or breeze, just stillness.

A storm is moving in. This scene took my breathe away. I sat for along time drinking a warm cup of coffee, just watching.

My Fourth of July.

No pictures or photos, just an experience.
We left the house about 6:30, in the evening to go see and hear the Houston Symphony, at the Miller Outdoor Theater, and see the fireworks display. Traffic was terrible, and we couldn't even find a place to park. I was pretty angry and irritated, so I turned around and headed back home. My wife suggested we see the fireworks in Pasadena. I didn't want to, but in order to not be a pain in the butt, I drove over to the church we attend and parked in their parking lot. I reluctantly got out lawn chairs and pasted a fake smile on my face, not wanting to spoil anyone elses evening.

We had a great spot, there was a cool breeze, tons of people, especially children. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. As I sat there, I began to unwind and relax. As the darkness of the evening moved in the fireworks display began. Someone off to my right began playing some patriotic music. It was turning into a really great evening. I had my family, a bottle of cold water, and bag of M&Ms. What more could you ask for?

After about twenty minutes, the music stopped playing, while the fireworks display was still going. I don't know how long the silence was, maybe a 5 or 10 minutes, but I could faintly hear heard this male voice in the dark, from far away, begin to sing, God Bless America. Slowly others, joined in, and all around me, people were singing. Many didn't know the words, and some voices had accents from different nations and places foreign to our county, and other voices were singing off key. What a wonderful sound on that dark and cool night, Strangers singing together, about a country they loved.

 After a few moments the singing stopped, and it was dark and still, just the sound of the fireworks going off. Noone talking. There was a hush over the crowd. I got goose bumps, and just a little emotional as I thought about our country. 
God Bless America. It was an awesome Fourth of July after all.